What it means to be Aboriginal in Canada today

THOMAS KING TO PRESENT AWARD TO LEANNE SIMPSON - HARBOURFRONT THIS TUESDAY AT 5.30

In celebration of National Aboriginal Day, RBC Wealth Management and the RBC Taylor Prize will host a special evening on June 17 with acclaimed authors Thomas King, winner of the 2014 RBC Taylor Prize for literary non-fiction for his book The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, and Dr. Leanne Simpson, winner of the 2014 RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award.

Leanne Simpson to receive Award Tuesday 5pm at Harbourfront

When:  Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 5 p.m.

Where: Studio Theatre, York Quay Centre, 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto, Ont.

What: With National Aboriginal Day on June 21, the authors will discuss what it means to be Aboriginal in Canada today, how myths and stereotypes have impacted the perception of Aboriginal peoples, and the role of indigenous people on the national consciousness.

In addition, Dr. Leanne Simpson, writer, scholar and educator from the Alderville Reserve, Ontario, will receive the inaugural 2014 RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award. Dr. Simpson was chosen for this award by author Thomas King, the 2014 RBC Taylor Prize winner for his book The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. The award will be presented by Founder of the RBC Taylor Prize, Noreen Taylor. 

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Interview Opportunities:

• Thomas King, 2014 RBC Taylor Prize winner
• Leanne Simpson, 2014 RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award
• Vijay Parmar, President, RBC PH&N Investment Counsel

-->Noreen Taylor, Chair, Charles Taylor Foundation

For tickets / interviews / further information about this event please contact:

Stephen Weir 416-489-5868, 416-801-3101, Stephen@stephenweir.com

RBC Taylor Prize Communications

Tony Maraschiello, 416-974-9334, tony.maraschiello@rbc.com

RBC Corporate Communications

 

www.thecharlestaylorprize.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RBCTaylorPrize | Follow us on Twitter: @taylorprize

witness a rite of passage - Walk With Excellence - June 13th. Toronto.

MEDIA ALERT

UPDATE:  The parade went without a hitch. 600 Grade 12 students took part in the Walk of Excellence. Below are two pictures from the parade. If you would like more information and/or pictures, drop me a note at stephen@stephenweir.com

 

Itah Sadu lead the parade on Friday!

Welcome to walkers from University of York students June 13, 2014

WALK WITH EXCELLENCE

Educational Attainment West, The Toronto District School Board, The York Centre For Education and Community and four high schools will be on the road Friday June 13th, 2014 taking a Walk of Excellence to York University

Students graduating from C. W. Jefferys, Westview Centennial, Downsview Secondary and Emery Collegiate, will be taking a “Walk of Excellence” to York University. Sponsored by Educational Attainment West, (a Youth Challenge Fund initiative), the York Centre For Education and Community, the Toronto District School Board, and local community agencies, this second annual parade will celebrate the passage of age from high school to post secondary education for local youth. The Walk is a public demonstration of student achievement. A group of Caribbean Carnival Parade Marshals and CUPE Marshals will be volunteering their help and guiding over 600 students along their way.

FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

June 13, 2014 (Toronto) – The media is invited to witness the Second Annual Walk of Excellence. The parade brings together students, community agencies, the school community, to walk, gather and witness a rite of passage as students take a symbolic walk to York University and begin the post-secondary phase of their lives.  The students will walk from the C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute at 340 Sentinel Road (near Keele & Finch) to Osgoode Hall Law School, Ignat Kaneff Building, York University. At Osgoode, students will be taking part in an award ceremony and reception. Toronto's Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke will be in attendance to deliver a poem written for the students and the event.

What: Friday parade from C. W. Jefferys High School to York University of 600 high school graduates from 4 west-end Toronto schools

Why: Public demonstration of student academic achievement in the Jane and Finch community

Who: Students. Parents. Teachers. Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke. Media Supporters. Volunteers from the annual Caribbean Carnival Parade and CUPE 4400

Best Photo Op: Rain or Shine. The parade will travel north along Sentinel Road from the high school to the university. It is expected to take 40-minutes. Best visuals at Sentinel and Finch Avenue West and at The Greens (outside of Osgoode Hall). Students have been issued photo waivers.

When: 10:00 a.m. Assembly at C.W Jefferys School

10:30 a.m. Expected start of parade along Sentinel Rd to York University 

            11:30 a.m. Reception at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Parade Contacts:  Itah Sadu 647 521 7874 or itahsadu@rogers.com & Shannon Ashman 647 880 3072 or shannonashman@gmail.com

2014 Carnival Season About To Begin. Join Minister Joe Oliver At Festival Kick-off

The Official Face Of The 2014 Carnival In Toronto

FESTIVAL BEGINS ON THURSDAY AT THE SCIENCE CENTRE WITH MEDIA PREVIEW       

Toronto, ON (5/20/2014) - The media is invited to join community leaders, Caribbean performers, Federal and Civic politicians at the official media launch for this year's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival on Thursday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ontario Science Centre.

Note: because of the Provincial election no MPPs will be speaking/attending the launch.

WHAT: The Festival Management Committee will be releasing key information about this year's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, including that events will be moving to the Malvern Community and the Toronto Islands. There will also be a live steel pan performance, Calypso singing and Masquerade Mas models showing this year’s Carnival costumes.

WHY:  There have been major venue changes and program additions to this year's three-week carnival. There are also new themes and costumes on the parade route this year.

WHO:  Speakers include the Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank, The Toronto Star and the City of Toronto, Ontario. MC: Pooja Handa (CP24). Finance Minister the Honourable Joe Oliver will speak at the launch.

WHEN: Thursday, May 22, 2014

              11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

WHERE:  Great Hall, Ontario Science Centre.

     770 Don Mills Road, Toronto, ON M3C 1T3

     Free parking - media please identify themselves at the parking kiosks.

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For further information:

Information about the programs and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.caribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue, Toronto. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693;

Email: info@caribbeancarnival.com

Media Information:

Stephen Weir

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist

Phone 416-489-5868

Cell: 416-801-3101

Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Diana Hart

Scotiabank

Cell: 647-821-3849

Email: diana.hart@scotiabank.com

Last Call If You Want To Interview Tessanne Chin in Toronto

Farley Flex and Tessanne Chin at the Real Jerk Press Event

MEDIA ALERT

TWO OPPORTUNTIES TO INTERVIEW THE JAMAICAN REGGAE FUSION SINGER WHO WON THE VOICE.  THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY – TORONTO.

What: TESSANNE CHIN Winner of Season Five of The Voice is in Toronto Friday night and Saturday for her performance at The Sony Centre For the Performing Arts Saturday, May 17, 2014

Where: Friday evening – 

Renaissance Hotel (1 Blue Jays Way. Toronto, ON)

Saturday noon -  Interview /photograph Tessanne an hour before her "Meet The Fans Lunch ’ at The Real Jerk restaurant (842 Gerrard Street East. Toronto, ON) on May 17th, 2014 from 1pm-3pm (media arrives at 12pm for interviews) 

Why:  Tessanne Chin is a Jamaican reggae fusion recording artist, best known for winning season five of the American reality TV singing competition The Voice on Adam Levine's team. Tessanne will make her Canadian debut on Saturday, March 17, 2014 with her Bread & Butter Band at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto at 7pm.

Tessanne will be joined by Comedian Jay Martin as master of ceremonies and Singer Kim Davis as the opening performer of the Sony Centre concert event. The Sony Centre concert event’s tickets range from $30-$85 and can be purchased in person at The Sony Centre box office or at ticketmaster.ca.

Tessanne career in music has spanned ten (10) years of tireless work as a fusion artist in which she released hit singles such as “Hideaway” amongst others, as well as opening for recognized artists such as Patti Labelle, Peabo Bryson, Gladys Knight. Tessanne toured for three (3) years with Jimmy Cliff; and is the younger sister of singer Tami Chynn. In September 2013, Tessanee was introduced to the world as a competitor and eventual winner of season five of NBC's singing competition, The Voice. It was reggae/dancehall star, Shaggy who brought Tessanne to the attention of the competition hoping it would finally afford her the international stardomshe deserved. And Shaggy was right!

How:  Contact Stephen Weir 

STEPHEN WEIR
Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com
109 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON
CANADA. M4R 1G5
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com twitter: sweirweir    

ALL EYES AND CAMERAS LOOKED AT THE MODELS ON STAGE

IT WAS A GOOD ONE

People are still talking about Carnival Nationz  camp launch last Saturday night at the Kool Haus in downtown Toronto. Sold out show. Glorious costumes. Talented models. Dazzling lights.  Festival PR guy Craigg Slowly files these photographs

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival's Media Launch Approaches

SAVE THAT DATE - FOR MEDIA THAT COVER SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival will have its 2014 Media Launch, May 22, 2014. 11.30 am to 12.45 pm, at the Ontario Science Centre. Changes in Parade. New Events. New Locations. Calypso performance. Mas models in costumes.  More info next week.

Downtown unique condo project in Toronto sticks to it's knitting

CITY TV CAMERAMAN SWUNG PAST BARTLETT AVENUE TO SPIN A YARN ABOUT THE NEW LANEHOUSE CONDO PROJECT

It happened this evening in the Bloor/Dufferin district. A century old Toronto yarn factory, hidden at the end of an inner city lane is going to be retooled rather than torn down. The ancient building, vacant for years, will soon house 16 urban/art condo suites.

For now the building is gloriously empty with high high ceilings, battle worn brick walls and a polished concrete floor. Tonight was the hip, avant-garde sales launch. There was a yarn bar, a yarn art installation and three swings in the middle of the room where three yarn bombing models swung and knit in mid-air (acquired taste for sure).

The action was hot and heavy with potential buyers showing strong interest (and waving cheque books) with the project. CITY TV got in the action with their cameraman getting footage of the swinging party!

There is a model suite already installed at the Lanehouse project featuring a living room with an 18-ft high ceiling and an overlooking bedroom loft. The unit will eventually have a private rooftop terrace.

CITY TV cameraman sits on a swing beside Yarn Bombing model at Lanehouse Condo launch

Master Bedroom of the Lanehouse condo. Window at left overlooks living room as seen  below

Bedroom's floor-to-ceiling wall looks down into the living room and lane

Lane from 50 Bartlett Avenue runs west to the front of the condo project